T.Rex was a primary force in glam rock, thanks to the creative direction of guitarist/vocalist Marc Bolan (born Mark Feld). Bolan created a deliberately trashy form of rock and roll that was proud of its own disposability, which stood in contrast to the low-key whimsical poetry of the earlier duo. T.Rex's music borrowed the underlying sexuality of early rock & roll, adding dirty, simple grooves and fat distorted guitars, as well as an overarching folky/hippie spirituality that always came through the clearest on ballads. While most of his peers concentrated on making cohesive albums, Bolan kept the idea of a three-minute pop single alive in the early 1970s. In Britain, he became a superstar, sparking a period of "T.Rextacy" among the pop audience with a series of Top Ten hits, including four number one singles. Over in America, the group only had one major hit -- the Top Ten "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" -- before disappearing from the charts in 1973. T.Rex's popularity in the U.K. didn't begin to waver until 1975, and they retained a devoted following until Marc Bolan's death in 1977. Over the next three decades, Bolan has emerged as a cult figure and the music of T.Rex has proved quite influential on hard rock, punk, new wave, and alternative rock.
Following a career as a teenage model, Marc Bolan began performing music professionally in 1965, releasing his first single, "The Wizard," on Decca Records. Bolan joined the psychedelic folk-rock combo John's Children in 1967, appearing on three unsuccessful singles before the group disbanded later that year. Following the breakup, he formed the folk duo Tyrannosaurus Rex with percussionist Steve Peregrine Took. The duo landed a record deal with a subsidiary of EMI in February 1968, recording their debut album with producer Tony Visconti. "Debora," the group's first single, peaked at number 34 in May of that year, and their debut album, "My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair...But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brow", reached number 15 shortly afterward. The duo released their second album, "Prophets, Seers & Sages, the Angels of the Ages", in November of 1968.
By this time, Tyrannosaurus Rex was building a sizable underground following, which helped Bolan's book of poetry, The Warlock of Love, enter the British best-seller charts. In the summer of 1969, the duo released their third album, "Unicorn", as well as the single "King of the Rumbling Spires," the first Tyrannosaurus Rex song to feature an electric guitar. Following an unsuccessful American tour that fall, Took left or as is often stated by people close to the band, was sacked. He was replaced by Mickey Finn, previously linked to the band Haphash and the coloured coat.(There are a few more artists using the name Mickey Finn, though that is where the connection ends)! The new duo's first single did not chart, yet their first album, 1970's "A Beard of Stars", reached number 21.
The turning point in Bolan's career came in October of 1970, when he shortened the group's name to T.Rex and released "Ride a White Swan," a fuzz-drenched single driven by a rolling backbeat. "Ride a White Swan" became a major hit in the U.K., climbing all the way to number two. The band's next album, T.Rex, peaked at number 13 and stayed on the charts for six months. Encouraged by the results, Bolan expanded T.Rex to a full band, adding bassist Steve Currie and drummer Bill Legend (born Bill Fifield). The new lineup recorded "Hot Love," which spent six weeks at number one in early 1971. That summer, T.Rex released "Get It On" (retitled "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" in the U.S.), which became their second straight U.K. number one; the single would go on to be their biggest international hit, reaching number ten in the U.S. in 1972. "Electric Warrior", the first album recorded by the full band, was released in the fall of 1971; it was number one for six weeks in Britain and cracked America's Top 40.
By now, "T.Rextacy" was in full swing in England, as the band had captured the imaginations of both teenagers and the media with its sequined, heavily made-up appearance; the image of Marc Bolan in a top hat, feather boa, and platform shoes, performing "Get It On" on the BBC became as famous as his music. At the beginning of 1972, T.Rex signed with EMI, setting up a distribution deal for Bolan's own T.Rex Wax Co. record label. "Telegram Sam," the group's first EMI single, became their third number one single.
"Metal Guru" also hit number one, spending four weeks at the top of the chart. The Slider, released in the summer of 1972, shot to number one upon its release, allegedly selling 100,000 copies in four days; the album was also T.Rex's most successful American release, reaching number 17. Appearing in the spring of 1973, Tanx was another Top Five hit for T.Rex; the singles "20th Century Boy" and "The Groover" soon followed it to the upper ranks of the charts. However, those singles would prove to be the band's last two Top Ten hits. In the summer of 1973, rhythm guitarist Jack Green joined the band, as did three backup vocalists, including the American soul singer Gloria Jones; Jones would soon become Bolan's girlfriend. At the beginning of 1974, drummer Bill Legend left the group and was replaced by Davy Lutton, as Jones became the group's keyboardist.
In early 1974, the single "Teenage Dream" was the first record to be released under the name Marc Bolan and T.Rex. The following album, Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow, was the last Bolan recorded with Tony Visconti. Throughout the year, T.Rex's popularity rapidly declined -- by the time "Zip Gun Boogie" was released in November, it could only reach number 41. Finn and Green left the group at the end of the year, while keyboardist Dino Dines joined. The decline of T.Rex's popularity was confirmed when 1975's Bolan's "Zip Gun" failed to chart. Bolan took the rest of the year off, returning in the spring of 1976 with "Futuristic Dragon", which peaked at number 50. Released in the summer of 1976, "I Love to Boogie," a disco-flavored three-chord thumper, became Bolan's last Top 20 hit.
Bolan released "Dandy in the Underworld" in the spring of 1977; it was a modest hit, peaking at number 26. While "The Soul of My Suit" reached number 42 on the charts, T.Rex's next two singles failed to chart. Sensing it was time for a change of direction, Bolan began expanding his horizons in August. In addition to contributing a weekly column for Record Mirror, he hosted his own variety television show, Marc. Featuring guest appearances by artists like David Bowie and Generation X, Marc helped restore Bolan's hip image. Signing with RCA Records, the guitarist formed a new band with bassist Herbie Flowers and drummer Tony Newman, yet he never was able to record with the group. While driving home from a London club with Bolan, Gloria Jones lost control of her car, smashing into a tree. Marc Bolan, riding in the passenger's seat of the car, was killed instantly.
While T.Rex's music was intended to be disposable, it has proven surprisingly influential over the years. Hard rock and heavy metal bands borrowed the group's image, as well as the pounding insistence of their guitars. Punk bands may have discarded the high heels, feather boas, and top hats, yet they adhered to the simple three-chord structures and pop aesthetics that made the band popular, as they still are today 30 years after Marc's death.
Venus Loon
T. Rex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Goin' to take my baby on a Venus loon
Slipshod gymslip in my neighbourhood,
Empty head, steel bed, Dipseys no good
All alone, no telephone, to hype up my baby,
Goin' to see my baby in the afternoon,
Goin' to take my baby on a Venus loon
Bent spent, psychedelic mailman's head,
Gorging up my spokes like the ghostly dead
Ally pally angel chewing up my blues,
Goin' to see my baby in the afternoon,
Goin' to take my baby on a Venus loon
Oh my Venus loon it'll make you swoon,
It'll make you feel good
It'll make you feel good
Oh my Venus loon it'll make you swoon,
It'll make you feel good
It'll make you feel good
First girl I ever met I don't recognise
Her nose is smashed her frame is bent
She's covered in flies
Everyone I ever loved, I'll love 'till I die
Goin' to see my baby in the afternoon,
Goin' to take my baby on a Venus loon
Oh my Venus loon it'll make you swoon,
It'll make you feel good
It'll make you feel good.
Oh my Venus loon it'll make you swoon,
It'll make you feel good
It'll make you feel good.
Repeat Verse 1
The lyrics of T. Rex's song "Venus Loon" describe the singer's plan to visit his lover and take her on a "Venus loon." The song's meaning is highly symbolic, as it employs surreal and psychedelic imagery that suggests a mystical, otherworldly experience. In the first verse, the singer states that he is "Goin' to take my baby on a Venus loon," implying that he and his lover will undergo some kind of transformative or mind-altering experience. The second verse describes the singer as feeling isolated and disconnected from the world around him, with "no telephone" to connect him with his lover. The third verse uses surreal imagery to describe a "psychedelic mailman's head" and an "Ally pally angel," further emphasizing the song's mystical and hallucinogenic tone.
The chorus, which is repeated throughout the song, emphasizes the transformative power of the Venus loon, promising that it will "make you swoon" and "make you feel good." The song's closing lines, "Everyone I ever loved, I'll love 'till I die/Goin' to see my baby in the afternoon, Goin' to take my baby on a Venus loon," suggest that the singer's love for his partner is unshakeable and that the Venus loon will somehow solidify their relationship.
Overall, "Venus Loon" is a highly evocative and poetic song that uses surreal imagery to explore themes of love, isolation, and transcendence.
Line by Line Meaning
Goin' to see my baby in the afternoon,
I'm going to visit my lover in the afternoon.
Goin' to take my baby on a Venus loon
I'm taking my sweetheart on an exciting date to Venus.
Slipshod gymslip in my neighbourhood,
I see a disheveled girl near me wearing a simple dress.
Empty head, steel bed, Dipseys no good
She has no personality or intelligence, and her surroundings are cold and harsh. Drugs can't help her.
All alone, no telephone, to hype up my baby,
She's lonely and can't even call anyone for comfort.
Bent spent, psychedelic mailman's head,
I met a strange person whose mind is altered from drug use.
Gorging up my spokes like the ghostly dead
This person is not making sense and is speaking nonsense while staring blankly.
Ally pally angel chewing up my blues,
An angelic person is lifting my spirits and taking my sadness away.
Oh my Venus loon it'll make you swoon,
My trip to Venus will be so amazing that it will be overwhelming.
It'll make you feel good
It will bring me joy and pleasure.
First girl I ever met I don't recognise
I see a girl who looks familiar but I can't place her.
Her nose is smashed her frame is bent
She's been physically hurt and her body is damaged.
She's covered in flies
She's been left to rot and is surrounded by decay and insects.
Everyone I ever loved, I'll love 'till I die
I will always love the people who have been important to me, forever.
Oh my Venus loon it'll make you swoon,
I can't wait to go to Venus because it will be so incredible.
It'll make you feel good.
It's going to be an experience that brings happiness and pleasure.
Repeat Verse 1
Repeating the first verse again to emphasize my plan to visit my lover and take her on a fun date.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: MARC BOLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cats raptor231
This album has several KILLER-KILLER songs that didn't make it on to many of the greatest hits, a/b-side releases/etc. that came out later. So the only way you heard them (before Youtube) is off the album itself.
This song is a great song especially for the intro, but I am pretty sure it made it on to some of the "Best Of's" I was just referring to.
The songs that I'm mainly talking about come later like : Nameless Wildness, Carsmile Smith & the Old One, The Leopards Featuring Gardenia and the Mighty Slug to name a few.
I had been listening to T-Rex for years after a friend turned me on to them/him (Bolan) in the late 90's and between us we owned quite a few T-REX albums: Self-titled T-REX, Electric Warrior, The Slider, Tanx, Futuristic Dragon (probably the one I would pick if CREATOR said "Sorry but, you can only have one T-REX album to listen to for the rest of your life"), Best of A-sides & Best of B-sides, one of the "Greatest Hits" and several Tyrannosaurus Rex albums as well.
But atleast 5 years later, well into the 2000's I came across "Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow" at a little mom & pop record store, it was a used 2-CD set but in perfect condition.
When we listened to it and heard those particular songs that I mentioned, it was Totally Surreal.
We thought we had heard it all pretty much, but those are some Real Hidden Gems and we were completely Floored that they were hidden right under our noses the whole time.
Of course we were Beyond Stoked to have those songs now in our collection of Music both Physically and Mentally/Spiritually!
CasualAgent
Zinc Alloy had some wonderful tracks,
Nameless Wildness đ in particular
Erika War
When I was a sophomore in college, for the entire first semester, basically the only thing I listened to, on repeat, was my Futuristic Dragon CD. I must have listened to it 500 times. But I like what you said about finding âhidden gemsâ. I felt that way when I first heard The Lilac Hand of Menthol Dan bc it wasnât on any of the albums I had at the time.
David Mark
This is such a powerful dynamic fresh song especiallly for its time 1974. Marc was usually pretty good at knowing what songs would make great singles but he got it totally wrong when he didnt release this one!This would and should have been massive! It would certainly have helped Zinc Alloy stay in the charts alot longer than it did.Anyway all that really matters is this was another great song from the Marc Bolan catologue of great songs!
ingo weinard
gorgeous song as the album is
Carol Runham
A great song and great man fantastic Trex were a true Trex fan
walendxweg
GREAT
CasualAgent
Shoulda' been a single....
Erika War
Agreed!
Louis B
Why it wasn't, I don't know if we'll ever know..